Principal Newsletter // November 4th, 2025

Nov 3

Dear Appleton Community…

U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Leigh Ross, will be speaking to Appleton students on Tuesday, November 11th in honor of Veterans Day (Monday, Nov. 11). We truly are grateful for her service to our country and her willingness to help our students learn about and appreciate our military members on this special day. Thank you to all our Appleton service member families both past and present.

As we look to honor our Veterans, here are some interesting facts from Appleton’s history that come from World War II. During the war, Appleton students were allowed a half day off during the week to go around the community and collect scrap metal to support the U.S. war effort. In addition, the following message was in the 1942 Appleton School Yearbook.

Edward “Eddie” Davis joined the school faculty last fall as head of the music department and as high school principal... “Uncle Sam” called him into service in December. We are sorry that he had to leave us, but are proud to have such a fine representative from our school in the U.S. Army for the great cause. On behalf of the students and teachers of Appleton, we say these simple, but sincere words: (BEST OF LUCK “EDDIE”)

Veterans Day Hero Display

As part of our Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 11, Appleton is creating a special heroes display to honor the brave men and women in our school community who have served in the military.

We recently sent out a request to families in Tuesday folders last week that states…

Any students who would like to participate, please fill out the following information and attach a copy of a picture of the veteran by Nov. 7 (please send in a copy as we don’t want to damage the original special picture).

Thank you for helping us honor those who have served our country.

Veterans Day Hero

Veteran’s Name:_____________________________

Branch of the Military:_________________________

Years Served:_________________________

Family/Friend of:________________________

Grocery Cards for Needy Families

A note from Kate McPhail -Appleton Counselor

Dear Appleton Families,

Thanksgiving and Christmas time can be a hard time for many families in our school. Students who normally get lunch and breakfast at school are now home for the holidays and it can be a stretch for families to provide food for their children. Would you like to donate a gift card to a grocery store? We will give gift cards to our families in need just drop them by the Appleton office.

Thank you for your generosity!

Weather Prepared Kids

The temperature is really dropping. Inclement weather can come in during the school day making recesses colder than it was when you sent your child off to school. Please send your child prepared to enjoy the outside with the appropriate clothing. We will eventually have several hundred coats in our lost and found by year end. If you write your child’s name inside their coat we have a much easier time getting them back to the correct owners. Thank you.

Parking Lot Safety and Politeness

Please do not park in the striped handicapped unloading parking zones or in the handicapped spaces themselves if you do not have a handicap license or pass. Sometimes these spots may seem the only ones available at parent pickup or drop-off. Please resist the urge to take a spot from someone who truly needs it.

Go Bookworms!

Corey Hafey

“Expect Excellence!”

Appleton Elementary School

2358 H Road Grand Junction, CO 81505

Phone (970) 254-6400 Fax (970) 243-6604

Corey Hafey - Principal

Todd Witzel - Assistant Principal

Lisa McClelland / Angie Wallace - Secretary